Pep Guardiola talks of dream to work in England

PEP GUARDIOLA has indicated he will reignite his rivalry with Jose Mourinho in the Premier League one day.

Pep Guardiola, former head coach of FC Barcelona, is just 41 years old

Just 24 hours after Mourinho said he wanted to manage again in England, Guardiola outlined his own desire to test himself here. The duo clashed repeatedly while in charge of Barcelona and Real Madrid with their rivalry dominant as they slugged it out in La Liga.

Mourinho’s future at Real is uncertain with his reign there beset by problems amid claims of clashes in the dressing room and with the club’s hierarchy, while Guardiola is on sabbatical after leaving Barca at the end of last season and has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich, although he features at the top of Chelsea’s wanted list.

In a message to the Football Association on their 150th anniversary, he declared a desire to coach in England and said: “As a player, I couldn’t realise my dream to play there. But I hope in the future, I have a challenge to be a coach or a manager there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there. It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players and everything.

I am still young, just 41, so I hope in the future I could be able to train there and enjoy that. I’ve always found English football fascinating, just for the environment, the crowd and the supporters

Pep Guardiola

“I am still young, just 41, so I hope in the future I could be able to train there and enjoy that. I’ve always found English football fascinating, just for the environment, the crowd and the supporters.

“The support of the home team is amazing. In Italy, Latin people will support you when they are playing and when you lose, they kill you. In England, I’m always surprised that people always support everything and that is nice. That’s why, maybe, I hope to have the challenge or the opportunity to train there.”

Guardiola also hailed the FA, who will launch their anniversary celebrations today.

“Congratulations on this huge anniversary, because 150 years is a lot of years,” he said. “Also because they created the rules of football and they have a responsibility for the game.

“They have been important in the development of our beautiful, beautiful game.

“Finally, I would like to say congratulations and happy birthday for the 150 years to English soccer and all of the people around English football. Enjoy it, because you deserve that – so all the best.”